Pumpkins for Your November Wedding

 
Have you ever walked through a market in November, passing by the pumpkins thinking...."sad...the leftovers that nobody wanted for Halloween..."? Well, turn those pumpkin woes into pumpkin wows! Here are a few ideas on how to use pumpkins for your November wedding décor.

 

Since pumpkins are so often associated with Halloween, reduce that association by spray painting them gold, silver or white. Or, keep the orange, if that's the palette that inspires you!(I'm a sucker for neutrals, myself!).

 

 

Consider lining your aisle with similar colored gourds, for a nice full effect. Looking for a hint of color? Add orange, yellow and red leaves underneath the gourds for a nice warm feel.

Get creative with how you choose to display them....

Use them as centerpieces overflowing with flowers

 

 

 

 

 

Table Numbers

 

 

 

 

Cake Toppers

 

 

 

 

 

and my personal favorite....escort cards holders with mini-pumpkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most florists can help you achieve anything you saw above, but the beauty of this décor idea is it's an easy DIY project too! Be creative, embrace fall and upcycle, upcycle, upcycle!

Saw something you liked? Photo Credits Image 2: 100 Layer Cake; Image 4: Hey There Cupcake; Image 5: One Wed

Happy Anniversary to The Clarks!

Special congratulations to Shayla & T Clark who recently celebrated their first anniversary!

My first meeting with the couple was the afternoon of New Years Eve, 2011. We signed the contract over a glass of wine and well wishes for a happy new year...it was definitely my most festive signing to date!

The couple defined class and elegance. Our meetings in their home were always set with the perfect ambiance....picture soft lighting, a Sade album on play and a fabulous aroma of dinner simmering on the stovetop. They were true romantics in every sense of the word.

Over the next 10 months, my meetings with Shayla and T felt more like get-togethers with friends. We had a comfortable rapport and a similar design aesthetic, even down to the detail of venue choice (Shayla and T were married in the same venue as me and Jordan - The Fairfax Hotel at Embassy Row).

Their wedding day was beautiful with the Washington autumn weather that every bride hopes for. And the details were executed flawlessly...after all, the execution of an event is what Bella Cosa is known for!

Their color palette was simplistically clean with all white flowers (designed by Da Vinci's Florist) and champagne accents.

The ceremony was intimate and elegant with touches of classic décor

During the reception, the bride and groom selected three different centerpieces to offer differences in texture and height throughout the room. Da Vinci's Florist designed the perfect mix of traditional meets classic modern.

Here's a glimpse of the kings table for the bridal party!

But with all the beautiful details, the focus was on Shayla in her silk taffeta fit and flare gown, accented with a delicate bird cage veil...

  ...and she had a lot of fun showing off her "something blue" with these stunning Badgley Mischka shoes!

The end of the wedding night is always bittersweet for me as the planner. A room full of dancing guests is the perfect ending to all the hard work that was put into the plans, details and production of that day. But it's also a little sad to know that all the calls, emails, texts and meetings with a great couple like Shayla and T will be coming to an end. They are a beautiful couple and I wish them all the best for the next 100 years!

Happy Anniversary!

And a big thanks to the experts at Freed photography for these great images from their big day - 10.20.12



After a long hiatus....we're back!

It's been months...(dare I say years?) since I sat behind this screen and updated this blog. When I first created this blog space 2 years ago, I had fantasies of updating followers with new posts, bold inspirations and colorful pictures from Bella Cosa weddings on a daily basis. But in the fabulous words of Eleanor Roosevelt "It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan"; and away I went with my plans!

A LITTLE COLOR DOES THE TRICK!

Ciao Bellas! You may notice the trend in COLOR that we've been blogging about all summer. We simply can't get enough of the bright magentas, tangerines, lime greens and aqua blues. Today's entry is no different and will show our brides-to-be and our fabulous followers how to inject a little flair into an engagement photo shoot!

This entry was inspired by classic beauty and Bella Cosa bride, Lindsay Barrett, following her engagement photo session with DC based photographer, Amy Raab.

Lindsay not only styled herself in a colorful dress (with perfectly paired accessories) but also went against the grain by selecting a print fabric. So often we see brides-to-be in solid, faint colors for their engagement shoot, too afraid that the bright color may distract or not photograph well. Lindsay's finished product is proof that this is a look every bride (or style hungry girl) should try!



Anthropologie: Backswept Dress
The coral and aqua in this vintage style dress are the perfect expressions of color and the peek-a-boo back makes for adorable photo-opps!



South Moon Under: Charlie Jade Silk Dress
The mix of purple, pink and orange unite giving this dress a Moroccan vibe.



J Crew: Caroline Dress in Ikat
The colors in this fabric are simple and elegant; style your guy in a light green or baby blue shirt - these colors against one another are bright and playful.



South Moon Under: Walter Warrior Stripe Tank Dress
This dress would be perfect for a 4th of July Wedding Save the Date!

  

Anthropologie: Hyacinth Afternoon Shift Dress
The pastels in this fabric are warm and soft. Keep your accessories light and your hair tousled to maintain a youthful look.



Anthropologie: Lila Frock
The dafodil skirt is bright and fun; and by adding brown boots, this dress can easily be transitioned into the fall.





{photo credits: Amy Raab, Anthropologie, South Moon Under, J Crew

Ciao Summer ~ Tablescapes

Carrying on with the theme of the week, Ciao Summer, we highlight one of our favorite event items to oooh and ahhh over - TABLESCAPES! Now, more than ever before, tables are seen as works of art for an event. Bouquets of flowers no longer sit lonely on a white linen. Colors, textures and trinkets that represent YOU are brought in to stimulate the guest and catalyse conversation.

Similar to our suggestion from yesterday with attire, take full advantage of the ability to use bright and bold colors of the season!

 This tablescape is delectable, in fact most of the materials in the centerpiece are edible! Their use of tropical fruits with gords (typically reserved for fall season decor) embedded in the hollow tree trunk truly catches your eye. Their blend of seasonal decor allows this to remain unique and unexpected.
**BELLA COSA FAVORITE**



This centerpiece highlights a less complex way to incorporate fresh fruit into your centerpiece. This caught our eye because of the beautiful round silhouette created by the apples and the way that the red and pink flowers pop against this natural color.
Bella Cosa Tweak: Replace the lining of the vase with red fruit to offer more contrast and color to the centerpiece.

 





One of a kind! We all know that fruits are trending in centerpieces, but have you ever seen a crudite centerpiece? We adore this idea for a farmers market or farmland wedding! So colorful yet so Green!

 

Interested in the idea of fruit but don't want to lose your traditional ambiance? Add fruit to the base of your centerpiece vase to add depth and texture. Consider implementing this design feature throughout the day, perhaps attaching escort cards to matching fruit; it's a detail that won't go unnoticed!

Bella Cosa's dear friend and fellow planner extradonaire, Natalie Laskowski of Belle of the Ball, used wax candles to achieve this look, which were then given as favors to wedding guests.

These single stems make this table appear bountiful, yet clean. This is a great idea for DIY or budget conscious brides!  

  



While the guests' attention usually goes to the elevated items on the table, why not draw your guests eye to a part of the tablescape that is often forgotten - the table runner! This hostess used vintage tiles to create her runner; she kept her centerpieces low so as not to distract from this interesting detail. This runner is gorgeous in its simplicity!





 

Layer your tablescape with different trinkets that represent you, your relationship, traditions and family. Not each table has to be the same, keep it eclectic but be mindful of not going "over-board". Use a runner to help you maintain a clean surface, keeping each item within the boarders of the runner.



World Market, Anthropologie and Pier 1 Imports all carry small vases and lanterns that will help you achieve this look. Or, be bold and venture out to your local flea-market or wholesale district to find pieces with real history.


{Photo Credits: Elizabeth Anne Designs Martha Stewart ~ Manolo Brides ~ Studio This Is ~ The Party Dress ~ Southern Living



Ciao Summer ~ Wedding Attire

Today marks the first day of summer, so as a nod to the offical start of the season, we'll be blogging about inspiring summer wedding details all week!

Today's highlight, the age old dilema of What to Wear!  

Grooms, ditch the tuxedo and opt for a suit that can only be worn in this season! Tan, Seersucker and Blue Jacket Suits are always a favorite! Get creative and add a colorful tie that accompanies the signature color!

  

 Embrace bright colors when selecting the Maids' dresses and allow them to be creative when accessorizing their look. Start thinking about props for photos that will enhance the color of the dresses - Think parasols, candy, pinwheels and message boards!

And for the Bride-to-Be; your wedding dress is one of the few tangible items from your Big Day that you get to keep forever, so selecting a dress that you love should be your first priority! It can be easy to get swept away in the opinions of others, but stay true to what you love! Today, we highlight the designer that Bella Cosa loves, Monique Lhullier and some of her show-stopping gowns from her Spring 2011 Collection...all of which inspire a beautiful summer bride!

{photo credits: Jenna Walker Photography, Denver via The Knot ~ Kate Murphy Photography ~ Rodeo & Co Photography via The Knot ~ Vineyard Vines ~ Creative Montage ~ Lula Kate ~ Phung Photography ~ Rachel Walter via Etsy ~ Jamie Hammond Photography ~ ClarkandDiversity via Etsy ~ Martha Stewart Weddings ~ Monique Lhuillier